When Grace Gelder's self-marriage hit the headlines last week, it started a conversation about what it means to celebrate single life with a ceremony. I was the one who led Grace's ceremony that spring day. I'm what is known as a "celebrant" - someone who helps people create meaningful ceremonies that celebrate life.

Sitting in the launderette reading a copy of last week's TV Guide, I contemplated my upcoming BAFTA attendance. More specifically, I'd just worked out that by the time I'd stuck my smalls in the dryer and lugged them all the way home down Balham High Road I would have just under one hour to prepare.

Wedding readings are undoubtedly the most heinous of all ceremonial speeches. No witty irony, no jokes, not even a personal nod-and-a wink to the married couple. Just an unapologetic slurry of schmaltzy cliches that wade knee-deep through a syrup of every single balk-inducing stereotype the English language has ever been able to muster.

One thing we all have in common: we're going to die. We won't all get married, have children or see Niagara Falls. But every single one of us will die. Yet the vast majority of us only think about death when we have to.

It is interesting to find out that we don't have to hold a funeral at all. There is no legal requirement. Something has to be done with the body, but the funeral ceremony, celebration of life, memorial or thanksgiving - we hold these ceremonies because we want to, not because we have to.

Since starting to work on the AIM Independent Music Awards a couple of years ago, it hasn't escaped my attention that every time a list of music award nominees is published, a large-scale debate and healthy amount of criticism and cynicism inevitably follows. I suspect this is because of the subjective nature of music; the concept of judging it is arguably flawed.

The annual Scottish Fashion Awards were held on Monday at the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow in association with InStyle, and the fashion elite attended in their finery to honour the achievements of the fashion industry's brightest stars.

A Blessingway ticks many of the boxes of a baby shower. It's a gals event only. We all gather together under one roof, food and drink are partaken of and afterward much chatter and gossip indulged. The massive and most important difference however is that no gifts are requested or exchanged.